Adjustable rail brace



Dec. l5, 1931; B. T. Glass, JR 1,836,371

ADJUSTABLE RAIL BRACE Filled Feb. 24, 1930 A, 2 sheets-sheet 14 E El Dec. 15, 1931. B. T. GgBBs, JR A Y. A1,836,371

ADJUSTABLE RAIL BRACE Filed Feb. 24, 195o 2 sheets-sheet 2 liaterrtecl Dec. 15, 1931 .narra srass err OrientsV BENEDIOT r., eIBBs, JR., or CHICAGO HEIGHTS, ILIIIIoIs, .essIGNonrO MORDEN FROG a CnossINe Worms, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS., a CORPORATION Or ILLINOIS ADJUSTABLE RAIL Bisson Application :tiledY February 24, 1930. Serial No. 4305181.

Thisinvention relates in general to rail supports and particularly to rail braces cooperating with base plates.

rlfhe primary object of the invention is to provide an improved'base plate and rail brace to support a rail rigidly against sidewise movement,.particularly at and adjacent to switch points. f

Another object is to provide a rail brace l having-'new and novel means for fastening the brace to the plate and tie. e

Another object isto provide a' wedge of improved construction to 'cooperate with the rail brace and plate. Y Y A further object` isi to providev a plate for supportingr a rail and a rail brace having means cooperatingwith the plate, a wedge corigidly bracing the rail and for taking up wear between the'rail, plate and brace.

Numerous other Aobjects 'and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specication. v. I The invention comprises iii-general a plate which is supported on the usual tie and which supports a rail. The pla-te is providedwith a shoulder for engaging one of the rail side flanges, and at a pointremotely situated 'from the rail there is provided an upstanding member which engages one side of a wedge. A rail brace is provided with a horizontal surface adapted to rest upon therupper face of the plate and has a vertical surface adapted to bear against the web of the rail. An inclined portion integrally connects the hori- Zontal and vertical portions of thebrace and is made to conform with the shape of the rail tlange.` One side of the brace is provided with a portion inclining at an angle to the 40 longitudinal center line of the rail to receive rlhe wedge 1s provided with athe wedge. plurality of rectangular teeth and recesses. A. hole is provided in the brace .and this hole has its sides diagonal to the rail to receive a tie spike. The notches in the wedge are made to be brought into alinement with a part of the hole in the brace so that when the spike is .arranged in the hole, one corner of the spike will engage a recess in the wedge. The accompanying drawings illustrate a selected embodiment of the invention and the views therein 'are as follows: i

Fig. iis `a plan view of a section of track, including 'a switch point and shows the 'inanner in which the plates and braces are applied to the rails. t

Fig; 2' is a detail'sectiOnal-view on the line F is aI detail top planA view partly in section showing the improved brace.V 1

Fig. 4 is an exploded or disassembled view ofthe'pa'rts constituting the, improved rail bracing means. f f Referring to the drawings, there Vis'shown in Fig. 1 a section of a track at aswitch point andy includes the `usual track ties 10,

-rkails-11, and switch points 12. Y operatingwith the rail brace and plate for Therails 11 comprisethe usualheadl, tne web 14, and the bottom flanges 15.

A plate 16 adapted to `rest on top of a. tie

10 is provided with a holel? to receive a Vspike `l'tor fastening the plate to the tie.

The plate is also provided with an upstandling portion 19-upon which the bottom flange '20 ofthe switchpoints slide. The upstanding portion19 is provided with a vertical shoulder 21 againstV which the edge 22 of the rail flange 15 abuts, Fig. 2. A rail brace 28 is provided to holdl the edge 22 against the shoulder 21 and to brace the rail on the side opposite the switch points. This brace comprises a vertical portion 24 which bears against the web 14, and a base 25 which includes an vinclined portion 26 and is adapted to rest on top of theplate 16 and engage a Vrail flange 15.` The upper portion-of vthe brace is provided with a downwardly and Vinclined edge 27 which fits under the rail head 13,'Fig. 2. `An inclined reinforcing member 28 integrally connects the" several portions together` and merges with a horizontal portion or flange 29 integrally connected with the flat portion of the hase 25. This portion 29 is spaced upwardly from the top face of the plate 16, Figs. 2 and 8.' A pair oi oppositely disposed holes 30 arranged on either side of the member 28 are provided in the brace base 25 and are adapted to aline withspilre holes 31 provided inthe plate 16.

`The holes 30 are elongatedllaterally, Fig. 4, "l

to permit lateral movement of the brace. Spikes 32 pass through the alined holes 30 and 31 in the brace and plate respectively for securing the biace and plate rigidly to a tie 10.

The plate 16 is also provided With an upstanding iin or ridge 33 to engage the outer straight edge 34 of the Wedge 35. The Wedge 35 comprises a base 36 Which is adapted to lieon top of the plate 16 and has an upstanding portion 37 which has its inner edge 38 incliiiing rearwardly, Fig. 4. The outer edge 39 of the brace 25 inclines rearwardly and is adapted to abut against the inner inclined edge 40 of the wedge. The upstanding horizontal portion 29 of the base also has an inclined outer edge 41 being parallel With the edge 39 of the base and is adapted to bear against the inclined edge 38 of the Wedge 35.

The upstanding horizontal portion or flange 29 of the brace is provided With a spike hole 42 provided substantially in the center of the base at a point Where the inclined member 28 integrally connects With the horizontal portion 29 of the base. rlhis hole 42 is adapted to come into alinement with a hole 43 in the plate 16, the hole 42 being formed at an angle relative to the holes 30.

The Wedge 35 is provided with a plurality of alternately spaced teeth 44 and vrecesses 45 to receive a spike 46 which passes through the alined holes 42 and 43, one corner of the spike being received in a recess 45 With the sides 47 of the spike engaging the inclined r faces 48 of the teeth. rllhe hole 42 is arranged so that the sides 47 of the spike Will register with the sides 49 of the hole, the sides being at an angle to the longitudinal center line of the rail. The hole 42 is provided at the specified angle so that the outer corner 50 of the spike Will be received Within the recesses 45 provided in the Wedge and engage theinclined faces 48 of the teeth 44.

In practice, the plate 16 is maintained on top of a tie and a spike 18 passed through the hole 17 and into a tie 10 to fasten the plate in position on the tie. The rail 11 is mounted on top of the plate With the edge 21 of the flanges 15 abutting against tne vertical shoulder 22 on the upstanding member 19. The brace 23 is then placed into position, the base 25 resting upon the plate 16 and the inclined portion 26 and the vertical portion 24 engaging a iiange and 'web respectively of the rail, the brace being positioned relative to the plate so that the holes 30 Will aline With the holes 31 in the plate to receive the spikes 32. The spikes 32, however, are not driven home until the brace is finally and rigidly fastened in place. The Wedge 35 is then arranged in position betiveen the upstanding fin 33 on the plate and the edge 39 of the brace base. The horizontally extending flange 29 will have its bottom supported on the top of the-Wedge base 36 with its edge 41 engaging the inclined side 38 of the upstanding Wedge portion 37. The Wedge is then positioned by driving the end of the Wedge to move the brace tightly against the rail. When the Wedge is driven the required distance, a spike 46 is inserted through the alined holes 42 and 43 in the brace and plate respectively to hold the Wedge, brace and plate in position. The spike 46 will be received in one of the recesses 45 and engage the sides 48 of the teeth 44. During the driving operation of the Wedge it is preferable that a recess 45 be in proper position relative to the hole 42 in the brace with the sides 49 of the hole 42 aliniiig with the edges of the recess 45. If, however, these edg-es do not come into perfect alinement, the driving of the spike 46 -will move the wedge suhiciently one Way or another so that the spike can be driven home. After the Wedge 35 has been positioned and the spike 46 driven tightly through the holes 42 and 43 and into the tie 10, the spikes 32 are driven home and the rail is rigidly supported by the brace with the edge 21 of the flange tightly engaging the vertical shoulder 22.

During constant use, the brace may become loose relative to the rail so it will be necessary to adjust the brace. This is done by merely removing the spike 46, driving in the Wedge until another recess toward the thick end of the Wedge comes into alinement with the hole 42 and then again driving the spike in place. The elongated slots or holes 30 in the brace permit the brace to be slid laterally relative to the plate with the spikes 32 engaging the holes 31 in the plate. The elongated slot or opening 43 in the plate permits lateral shifting of the brace relative to the plate when the wedge is driven in position. The hele 42 in the brace and the holes 31 in he plate are substantially the same size as the spikes, thereby preventing the spikes from ivobbling or shifting and still permitting the brace to be moved laterally by means of the Wedge.

The invention comprises a thoroughly efiicient and relatively simple rail brace which is comparatively economical to manufacture. The Wedge is made from a single piece of niaterial and is held in position by means of the spikes which assist in holding the brace and plate in position, and no additional members are required to prevent the Wedge from moving in respect to the plate and brace during normal operation. The present brace is adapted to be applied to plates already in use.

Changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts Without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall Within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows: l. In combination a rail brace, a Wedge cooperating With said brace to effect adjustment thereof, and a spike engageable With the brace and Wedge for holding the brace and Wedge in adjusted position.- Y 2. In combination a rail brace, a lWedge cooperating with said brace to e'ect adjustment thereof, means for fastening said brace to a tie, said Wedge being provided with recesses, said means engaging the brace and a recess for maintaining the Wedge in position relative to thebrace. i A 3. In combination a rail brace, a'vvedge cooperating with said brace to effect adjustment thereof, a plurality of teeth on one side of said Wedge, and a spike passing'through a part of said brace and engaging a pair of said teeth for maintaining the Wedge in position relative to said'brace.

Il. In combination a rail brace, a wedge cooperating With said brace to effect adjustment thereof, said brace having an opening therein, and means passing through said opening and engaging a side of the Wedge for holding said Wedge in position relative to said brace.

5. In combination a rail brace, a Wedge cooperating With said brace to effect adjustment thereof., said brace having an opening therein, teeth on said Wedge and having recesses therebetween, one of said recesses adapted to be brought into alinement with said opening, and means passing through the opening and recess for holding the Wedge in position'relative to the brace.

6. In combination a rail brace, a Wedge cooperating With .said brace to effect adjustment thereof, said brace having an opening therein, teeth on said Wedge and having recesses therebetween, any one of said recesses being adapted to be brought-into registration relative to'said opening upon movement of said wedge, and a spike passing through said opening and registered recess for maintaining said Wedge in position relative to said brace. I

7. In combination a rail brace, a Wedge engageable with said brace for providing adjustment thereof relative to a rail, and a plurality of spikes for holding said brace in place, one of said spikes engageable with said Wedge for maintaining said Wedge inV position relative to said brace.

8. In combination a rail brace, a Wedge engageable With said` brace for providing adjustment thereof relative to arail, and a plurality of spikes for holding said brace inplace, at least one of said spikes having complementary engagementV with the Wedge for holding said Wedge in 'adjusted position.

9. In combination, a plate having upstanding shoulders, a rail engageable with one of said shoulders, a brace engageable With said rail, a Wedge engageable With said brace and the other of said shoulders for providing eral adjustnientof said brace upon movement of said Wedge, saidvbrace and plate being provided ivith alined openings therein, means passing through said brace and plate for securing the rail to the plL te and the plate and brace tca tie, and means passing through the openings in the brace and plate and into the tie and engaging said Wedge.

1l. In combination, a plate having parallel lupstanding integral shoulders formed on its 1 top and cnopposite sid-es thereof, arail engageable with one of said shoulders, a brace engageable ivi said rail, a Wedge engageable with said brace and the other of said shoulders for providing lateral adjustmentof said brace upon movement of said Wedge, said brace and plate being provided with alined openings therein, some of said openings being elongated to permit adjustment of the brace relative to the plate and rail, said Wedge having recesses along one edge thereof, and-means engageable with a recess and engaging a tie for holding the Wedge in position relative to the brace and plate. y

12. ln combination, a plate having upstanding shoulders, a rail engageable with one of said shoulders, a brace engagea-ble With said rail, a Wedge enga-geablewith said brace and the'other of said shouldersfor providing lateral adjustment'of said brace upon movey f ment of said Wedge, spaced teeth on said Wedge, and fastening means passing through the brace, into a space between a pair of said teeth and engaging a tie whereby said Wedge is rigidly positiond relative to said brace.

13. In combination a rail brace having an inclined edge, a Wedge engageable With the Yinclined edge ashoulderengaceable b said Q i b c Wedge whereby said Wedge may be moved to move the brace in position relative to a rail, teeth on the Wedge, and means passing through the brace and engaging a tie and Y cooperating with said teeth for rigidly maintaining said Wedge in position relative to said brace.

lll. VIn combination a rail brace having an inclined edge, a Wedge engageable with the inclined edge, a shoulder engageable by said wedge whereby said Wedge may be driven inwardly to move the brace tightly against a rail, said Wedge having recesses along one edge thereof, and a single spike engaging a recess and a tie for holding the Wedge in position.V Y

l5. In combination a rail brace having an ACIJ inclined edge, e Wedge engageable with the melmed edge, a shoulder engageable by said Wedge whereby said Wedge may be driven yinwardly to move the brace tightly against a. rail, said Wedlre being provided With re cesses, and a spike engageeble with a recess for holding the Wedge in position, said spike being so positioned therv its normal Vertical plane is at an angle to a line parallel With the rail.

16. In combination e brace a-dapued to support o1' brace e rail, a Wedge having V-shaped recesses or notches and adapted to be Wedgingly moved relative the brace to permit ad justmenc of the brace relative to the rail, and fastening means having two sides thereof engaging the sides of :i "vf-shaped recess for holding the Wedge in position.

n Witness whereof, have hereunto subscribed my name.

BENEDCT T. GBBS, JR. 

